Have you heard of the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Heat islands are urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies.

This phenomenon causes a rise in temperature in highly populated areas. A great example of this is Los Angeles – a huge city where the population is dense, buildings are compact, and vegetation is scarce. These factors combined cause the patch of land to be considerably higher in temperature than its surrounding areas. The outcome of this issue can be troubling.

Why is Urban Heat Island Effect an Issue?

Urban Heat Island Effect causes a rise in the demand for cooling, not only inside homes and offices but more crucially in hospitals and restaurants where a cool, controlled environment is necessary. This can lead to significant increases in cost and raises the demands for fossil fuels that emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. Utilizing these fossil fuels has lead to a rise in greenhouse gases and a decline in the health of our environment.

How can Westcoat help?

There are a few ways we can help combat the Urban Heat Island Effect including planting rooftop greenery (Green Roof), applying cool coatings on asphalts and pavements, and where we come in – Cool Roof Coatings.

Solar Reflective Systems for Cool Roof Coatings

Westcoat offers both Solar Reflective waterproofing and concrete coating systems. These systems help combat the Urban Heat Island Effect by lowering surface temperatures. Cool, right?

What systems are available?

ALX Solar Reflective Finish System is a waterproof walking deck system that also meets the Cool Roof Requirements of California Title 24. It is reinforced with metal lath and is installed with a series of three separate white polymer-modified cementitious applications and sealed with Westcoat’s Solar Reflective series of SC-10 Acrylic Topcoats, that utilize infrared (IR) pigments. This system is suitable for commercial and residential environments. Some uses include balconies, corridors, stairs, and landings. It is regularly specified for hotels, condominiums, apartments, and office buildings.

Advantages
• Meets California Title 24 Requirements
• Helps Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect
• Lowers the Surface Temperature
• Fast Access After Installation
• Available Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Excellent Sound Reduction Qualities
• Tough Final Coat is UV Resistant
• Covers Rough Plywood and Seams
• Skid Resistant Textured Finish
• Decorative Finishes Available
• Unmatched Strength and Durability

MACoat Solar Reflective Finish System is a fiber lath reinforced deck system installed with a series of two or three separate waterproof acrylic applications and sealed with Westcoat’s series of Solar Reflective SC-10 Acrylic Topcoats, that utilize infrared (IR) pigments. This system reduces the Urban Heat Island Effect and can lower the surface temperature. It also meets the Cool Roof Requirements of California Title 24. This System is suitable for commercial and residential environments. It is designed for use on balconies, corridors, stairs, and landings and is regularly specified for homes, hotels, condominiums, apartments, office buildings and parking structures. In many cases, it can be applied over existing deck systems to provide an excellent method for the rehabilitation of problem surfaces.

Advantages
• Meets California Title 24 Requirements
• Helps Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect
• Lowers the Surface Temperature Flexible
• Durable • Fast Access After Installation
• Choice of Colors and Textures
• Tough Final Coat is UV Resistant
• Safe, Skid Resistant Textured Finish

Texture-Crete Solar Reflective Finish System is a series of polymer-modified, white cementitious coatings that are bonded to the concrete or applied over Westcoat’s ALX and MACoat Systems, then sealed with Westcoat’s Solar Reflective series of SC-10 Acrylic Topcoats that utilize infrared (IR) pigments. The TC Solar Reflective Finish System helps reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect and can lower the surface temperature. This system also meets the requirements of California Title 24 and can be installed with various textures and patterns that will work in many different applications. This system can be applied directly over existing concrete and is suitable for commercial and residential environments. Some uses include driveways, walkways, patios, courtyards, entryways, roof decks, theme parks, and pool decks.

Advantages
• Meets California Title 24 Requirements
• Helps Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect
• Lowers the Surface Temperature
• Cost-Effective
• Fast Drying
• Low Maintenance
• Long Lasting
• Can be Installed Solvent Free
• Variety of Textures and Patterns

By utilizing one of these cool coat Solar Reflective systems on your decks and rooftops, you can help to stop the progress of the Urban Heat Islands and heal the atmosphere one coating at a time!

Would you like to learn more about the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Have an upcoming Project?

Do you have an upcoming project that needs a flooring solution? Reach out to our skilled Westcoat experts to help guide you to the right choice for your facility, providing information about the manufactured product, installation process, as well as maintenance after install and warranty details. The floor you choose should be formulated for the conditions of your space, allowing your operation to run smoothly for many years.